Movie Reviews

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Can't Get There From Here | Indiana | 09/14/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"...Just start playing the standard tracks -- "Radio Free Europe" and The Cutting Edge version of "Driver 8" -- and once they start, simply press 'Enter' on your remote and the disk will switch over to alternative versions of these selections."

Inexplicable Oversight

Matthew D. White | New Orleans, LA | 02/04/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"It's good to have all these old videos compiled on DVD; now I can throw away my old VHS "REM Succumbs" tape.I still think Jim Herbert's videos are a treat; it's amazing that even though these videos are usually pronounced "boring" or "headache-inducing" by many viewers, their influence on music video in general is incalculable. Back in the day, it was amazing to see how so soon after these original videos began coming out, nearly every band who was making music videos began copying the Herbert approach. High praise for all these unique clips, which from a time when R.E.M. embraced (or pioneered) the whole southern-gothic-mysterious feeling.

My sole reason for docking this review two stars is for an unusual production oversight: the producers of this DVD never bothered to scrub or re-sync the videos with more up-to-date audio tracks, which very easily could have been done by any editor with a few mouse clicks. (Obviously, the audio for the live performance videos, and Stipe's non-lip-synced vocal for "So. Central Rain" would have had to remain as-is. No problem there; the audio is just fine for these segments.)Instead, what is on the DVD are the original, worn-out and/or inferior audio tracks from the original sources. As a result, the lengthy "Left of Reckoning" may look as good as it ever has, but it sounds atrocious, with a very worn, watery sound that is nearly absent of decent high-end. Even the video for "Radio Free Europe" suffers from the same effect.

I'm calling for R.E.M., one of the greatest American rock bands ever, who always have issued quality stuff before, to re-issue this DVD with improved sound. Then this compilation will be well worth its weight."

Any die-hard REM fans this is a must have.

Karen Davis | DC | 01/18/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The video for "Driver 8" is worth the price of admission alone ... that's just my opinion though ..."

Better than a flashback...

M. B. Truman | Kingsland, GA | 01/15/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this DVD under the guise of a Christmas present for my 17 year old daughter, who is a huge fan of the band. The gift that keeps on giving! I have had the pleasure of following REM since 11/82, when I saw them at The Chateau in Albany, NY...worked at a small record store and fell in love with "Chronic Town". I used to take that EP home, plop on the couch with the headphones plastered to my head to try to decipher the lyrics...then finally realized it didn't matter, and these videos prove that. It's not just what they say, it's how they say it...the humid, etherial mood of the music is intoxicating...I remember hearing an interview years ago with Michael Stipe, and he basically said that if we're meant to fully hear all the lyrics, if it's a message he wants understood, he'll sing more clearly. Otherwise, make up the words as you go along. He's a genius. These videos are the soundtrack of my life, and it was wonderful to see them again. Now that I have the videos, however, I might invest in lip reading classes"